Biological Forum – An International Journal 13(2): 138-164(2021)

ISSN No. (Print): 0975-1130 ISSN No. (Online): 2249-3239 Studies on North-West Himalayan Shilpa Sood1*, Reeti Singh2 and Ramesh Chandra Upadhyay3 1Department of Botany, MCM DAV College Kangra, (Himachal Pradesh)-176001, India. 2Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, RVSK Vishwa Vidyalaya, Gwalior, (Madhya Pradesh)-474002, India. 3ICAR-Directorate of Research, Solan, (Himachal Pradesh)-173213, India. (Corresponding author: Shilpa Sood*) (Received 22 March 2021, Accepted 05 June, 2021) (Published by Research Trend, Website: www.researchtrend.net) ABSTRACT: North Western Himalayan forests are rich in macrofungal diversity, especially in ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi. In 2014 and 2015, a number of explorations were undertaken during rainy season to explore the ECM diversity. The morpho- of thirteen samples of Russulaceae were briefly discussed. Four samples of Lactarius and nine samples of were described morphologically and illustrated taxonomically. Detailed study on the spore morphology of the specimens was carried out using staining techniques and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Out of these Lactarius paradoxus, L. subpurpureus, Russula fellea, R. flavida and R. subfoetens have been reported for the first time from Himachal Pradesh. Keywords: Basidiomycetes, macrofungi, Russula, Lactarius, taxonomy. INTRODUCTION and injury, latex colour and latex colour change were described in the field from the fresh specimen. The members of family Russulaceae belongs to All colour notations were according to Kornerup and cosmopolitan group of ectomycorrhizal mushroom that Wanscher, (1978). After recording all the forms a relationship with trees. It comprises around morphological characters, specimens were dried in hot 1900 accepted species (Lebel et al., 2013). Major air oven and preserved in polypropylene bags with genera of this group are Russula, Multifurca, Lactarius naphthalene ball and some crystals of 2,4- and Lactifluus are easily distinguished from other gilled dichlorobenzene. Microscopic studies were done from by the consistency of their flesh, which is dried sample revived in 3% KOH. Hymenium, basidia, granular, brittle, breaks easily and absence of volva. cystidia, pileipellis and stipitipellis were observed in Lactarius consists of 450 spp. worldwide (Kirk et al., 1% congo red and 1% cotton blue under oil immersion 2008) and 83 from India (Upadhyay et al., 2017). (Motic BA 310). Spores were studied from the spore Russula consists of 750 spp. worldwide (Kirk et al., deposits in Melzer’s reagent. Camera lucida drawings 2008) and 128 spp. from India (Upadhyay et al., 2017). were made with the aid of a drawing tube. Spore In the present study four species of Lactarius: L. ornamentations were observed by SEM using camphorates, L. paradoxus, L. salmoneus, L. EMCRAFT microscope. The examined collections subperpureus and nine species of Russula: R. were deposited in the Herbarium of ICAR, Directorate atropurpurea, R. brevipes var. acrior, R. delica, R. of Mushroom Research, Chambaghat, Solan, (H.P.). flavida, R. fellea, R. foetens, R. fragilis, R. grisea, R. subfoetens were reported from forests of Himachal RESULTS Pradesh. Two Lactarius (L. paradoxus and L. Lactarius camphoratus (Bull.) Fr., Epicrisis Systematis subpurpureus) and three Russula (R. fellea, R. flavida Mycologici: 346, 1838 [Figs. 1 (A H) and 2 (A F)] and R. subfoetens) are first time documented from – – Himachal Pradesh. Pileus diameter up to 4.0 cm wide, umbonate, greyish orange (6B-5) to (6B-4), surface non hygrophanous, MATERIALS AND METHODS margin irregular, striate, inflexed, dry, smooth, scales Specimens were collected during rainy season. absent, cuticle not peeling, pileus consistency fleshy, Specimens were photographed and all the context colour cream, up to 0.1cm thick, no colour morphological traits such as colour, shape, size and change on touch or handling and confluent pileus. change in colour on bruising of carpophores on touch Lamellae shortly decurrent, close, separable, flesh coloured (6B-3), fleshy, gill size 2.0 × 0.2 cm unequal Sood et al., Biological Forum – An International Journal 13(2): 138-164(2021) 138 present in 5 sets of lamellulae, secrete milky latex when (11.3) × (3.5)4.9–(9.7) µm wide, septate, branched, injured. central, light brown (6D-5) to brown (6E- septa without clamps. 5), cylindric 8.5 × 0.3 cm, terete, dry, glabrous, blunt at Collection examined: India- Himachal Pradesh- the base, hollow, fleshy, stipe trama colour cream, ring, Shimla- Kufri: alt. 2290 m a.s.l.; GPS 31°6'0" veil and volva absent. N77°15'0"E, mixed forest, under tree. Shilpa Basidiospores (7.2)8.0–(8.8) × (5.8)6.5–(7.6) µm Sood, DMR Acc. No. 23/15, July 26, 2015. (Q=1.1−1.3), hyaline, ornamented, subglobose to Discussion. L. camphoratus has been misidentified as eliptical, apiculate (0.9–1.5 µm), germ pore absent, oil L. rubidus due to red brown pileus, close to crowded globule present, cyanophilic and amyloid. Basidia pale pinkish cinnamon lamellae. However, L. rubidus is (26.4)30.8–(35.6) × (7.4)9.4–(12.9) µm (Q=3.3), a European and Eastern North American species clavate, 2, 4-spored, basidia mostly tetra-sterigmatic, featuring watery latex and absence of pleurocystidia. L. long curbed sterigmata up to 5.5 × 1.7 µm, thin walled, camphoratus can be identified due to variable cystidia oil globule present, basal septa without clamps. from subclavate, subcylindric to fusiform, irregular and Pleurocystidia present, (33.0)38.5–(49.8) × (7.5)10.0– nearly lobed. It is also confused with L. fragilis which (12.0) µm, cheilocystidia (24.3)28.8–(35.0) × (5.4)6.8– has watery latex yellowish gills, and (more definitively) (9.0) µm. Pileipellis (10.2)14.8–(22.7) × (8.8)12.1– spores that are reticulate. This genus is already reported (17.2) µm thick, hyphae irregularly arranged, thin form Himachal Pradesh: Bhatt and Lakhanpal, (1990); walled, with some cylindrical hyphae. Hymenophoral Uttarakhand: Bhatt et al., (2000), Das and Sharma, trama (3.9)5.3–(8.8) µm thick, regular. Subhymenium (2002). 6–13 µm. Hymenium 17–23 µm. Stipe cuticle (6.4)7.9–

Fig. 1 (A–H) Lactarius camphoratus: A) Basidiocarps in natural habitat; B) Basidiocarp with slight umbo; C) Gills with milky latex; D) Lobed cystidia; E) Pileipellis; F) Basidiospores in light microscope; G and H) SEM of basidiospores. Scale bars: D–F=10 µm; G=1 µm; H=2 µm.

Sood et al., Biological Forum – An International Journal 13(2): 138-164(2021) 139 Fig. 2 (A–F) Lactarius camphoratus: A) Basidiocarps; B) Basidiospores; C) Basidia; D) Pleurocystidia; E) Cheilocystidia; F) Pileipellis. Scale bars: B–F=10 µm. Lactarius paradoxus Beardslee & Burl., Mycologia 32: absent, oil globule present (1–2 in no.), cyanophilic and 586, 1940 [Figs. 3 (A–F) and 4 (A–H)] amyloid. Basidia (38.2)43.4–(50.5) × (6.7)8.8–(10.7) Pileus up to 8.7 cm diam. depressed, purplish pink µm, (Q=4.9), clavate, 4-spored, sterigmata up to 6.0 × (14A-3) to reddish lilac (14B-3), regular, wavy, non- 1.9 µm, thin walled, oil globule present, basal septa striate, with concentric zones, inflexed, moist, non without clamps. Pleurocystidia present, fusiform to hygrophanous, smooth, scales absent, fleshy, colour moniliform (37.6).59.2–(70.6) × (4.6)7.8–(8.6) µm, change on touch pale blue (21A-3). Lamellae purplish cheilocystidia present (19.6)24.7–(37.6) × (3.6)5.9– white (14A-2) to purplish pink (14A-3), adnate, (8.2) µm, same as like pleurocystidia, oil globule unequal, close, separable, 7 sets of lamellulae, fleshy, present, clamp connections absent. Pileipellis ixocutis. interveined, separable, latex blood red in colour. Stipe Hymenophoral trama (3.3)8.8–(14.4) µm thick with 2.9 × 1.2 cm, central, purplish white (14A-2), cylindric, laticiferous hyphae. Subhymenium 15–22 µm. blunt, hollow, terete, fleshy, ring, veil and volva absent. Hymenium 35–45 µm. Stipe cuticle regular strongly Basidiospores (8.8)9.1–(9.3) × (5.1)6.0–(7.2) µm interwoven hyphae (1.8)2.9–(4.2) µm. (Q=1.5), hyaline, elliptical, reticulate, SEM studies Collection examined: India- Himachal Pradesh- showed ornamentation up to 0.5 μm high, of rather Shimla- Narkanda- Oddi: alt. 2621 m a.s.l; GPS thick ridges, forming an almost complete reticulum, 32°9'52"N 76°16'39"E, coniferous, gregarious, on soil isolated warts scarce, plage distinct less isolated warts among grasses. Shilpa Sood, DMR Acc. No. 53/14, and slightly amyloid, apiculate (0.8–1.4 µm), germ pore September 21, 2014.

Sood et al., Biological Forum – An International Journal 13(2): 138-164(2021) 140 Discussion. L. paradoxus is a medium sized species, with differently ornamented spores. From India, Atri characterized by the bluish and often greenish tinges in and Saini, (1986) first reported this species form the pileus and the vinaceous red to brown latex. Uttarakhand. In the present investigation the specimen Remarkable is the short root-like projection of the stipe. was found scatter to gregarious in coniferous forest and Hesler and Smith, (1979) reported several collections reported first time from Himachal Pradesh.

Fig. 3 (A–F) Lactarius paradoxus: A and B) Basidiocarps in natural habitat; B) Basidiospores showing zonation in pileus suface and gill attachment; C) Basidiospores in light microscope; D) Basidiospores in SEM; E) Pileipellis; F) Section showing abundant laticifer hyphae in gill trama. Scale bars: C, E and F=10 µm; D=1 µm.

Sood et al., Biological Forum – An International Journal 13(2): 138-164(2021) 141 Fig. 4 (A–H) Lactarius paradoxus: A) Basidiocarps; B) Basidiospores; C) Basidia; D) Pleurocystidia; E) Cheilocystidia; F) Pseudocystidia; G) Pileipellis; H) Stipitopellis. Scale bars: B–H=10 µm. Lactarius salmoneus Peck, Bulletin of the Torrey pore absent, oil globule present, cyanophilic and Botanical Club 25: 369, 1898 amyloid, shows reticulation in Melzer’s reagent, SEM [Figs. 5 (A–G) and 6 (A–H)] studies revealed ornamentation upto 0.4 μm high, of medium thick ridges and some finer lines, forming an Pileus diameter up to 6.5 cm wide, convex, becoming incomplete reticulum, isolated warts rather scarce. nearly applanate or slightly depressed in the centre, Basidia (41.5)51.9–(61.6) × (6.5)7.1–(8.3) µm (Q=7.3), greyish orange (6B-3) to orange grey (6B-2), surface clavate, 2, 4-spored, sterigmata up to (3.0)3.4–(3.9) × hygrophanous, regular, inflexed, sulcate, moist, (0.9)1.2 –(1.3) µm, thin walled, oil globule present, glabrous, velvety, cuticle not peeling, pileus basal septa without clamps. Pleurocystidia present, consistency fleshy, flesh colour light orange, upto 0.3 subfusiform to moniliform, (33.8)40.5–(52.7) × cm thick, colour change on touch or handling to green (4.8)5.8–(7.1) µm, pseudocystidia present (2.4)4.0– (26B-7). Lamellae adnate, unequal, 5 sets of lamellulae, (5.0) µm, cheilocystidia present (17.5)24.7–(30.2) × 3.2 × 0.3 cm in size, fleshy, orange salmon colour, sub (4.2)5.1–(6.8) µm subfusiform to moniliform. distant, separable, interveined, 10 lamellae per cm near Pileipellis 0.5−1.0 µm, thin walled cutis with local the margin, latex salmon in colour. Stipe central, trichodermium inclinations. Hymenophoral trama cylindric, 4.0 × 1.0 1.5 cm, light orange (6A-4), terete, – (2.9)4.0–(7.7) µm thick, irregular with abundant blunt, smooth, fleshy, glabrous, hollow, ring veil and laticifer hyphae. Subhymenium 10–15 µm. Hymenium volva absent. 24–40 µm. Stipitipellis strongly interwoven hyphae Basidiospores (7.4)7.9 (8.6) × (4.9)5.6 (6.5) µm, – – (1.1)2.4–(4.0) µm diam. ellipsoid to broadly ellipsoid (Q=1.3−1.5), hyaline, ornamented, thin walled, apiculate (0.5–1.1 µm), germ Sood et al., Biological Forum – An International Journal 13(2): 138-164(2021) 142 Collection examined: India- Himachal Pradesh- staining greenish, presence of pleurocystidia, spores Dharamshala- Sarah: alt. 1012 m a.s.l; GPS 7.4–8.6 × 4.9–6.5 μm with incomplete reticulation and 32°11’18”N 76°18’9”E, scattered, growing on soil, isolated warts which are typical characters of L. under Pine tree covered with fallen leaves. Shilpa Sood, salmoneous. It closely resembles to L. curtisii but differ DMR Acc. No. 32/14 September 13, 2014. from L. curtisii in having salmon coloured latex and Discussion. The belongs to L. salmoneous presence of pleurocystidia which are absent in L. subgenus Piperites due to its enrolled margins and curtisii although having the same spore size. In the cuticle an ixotrichoderm (Heilmann-clausen et al., present study, it was collected from coniferous forest in 1998). Examined collection is characterised by the association with Pinus roxburghii, in wet place in the presence of dry to sub velvety white cottony felt both month of September. on the pileus and stipe, salmon coloured latex, surface

Fig. 5 (A–G) Lactarius salmoneus: A) Basidiocarps; B) Pleurocystidia; C) Cheilocystidia; D) Section showing pseudocystidia and laticifer hyphae in hymenium; E) Pileipellis; F and G) Basidiospores in SEM. Scale bars: B– E=10 µm; F=2 µm; G=0.8 µm. Sood et al., Biological Forum – An International Journal 13(2): 138-164(2021) 143 Fig. 6 (A–H) Lactarius salmoneus: A) Basidiocarps; B) Basidiospores; C) Basidia; D) Pleurocystidia; E) Cheilocystidia; F) Pseudocystidia; G) Pileipellis; H) Stipitopellis. Scale bars: B–H=10 µm. Lactarius subpurpureus Peck, Annual Report on the present (1 large), cyanophilic and amyloid, spore New York State Museum of Natural History 29: 43, deposit white. Basidia (39.8)45.6–(55.2) × (7.3)8.9– 1878 [Figs. 7 (A–G) and 8 (A–H)] (9.9) µm (Q=5.1), clavate, 1,2,4–spored, sterigmata up Pileus diameter up to 15.1 cm wide, shallowly to 5.3 × 1.5 µm, thin walled, oil globule present in depressed, dull red (10B-3) to (10B-4), gives green some, basal septa without clamps. Pleurocystidia colour with age or on bruising greyish green (25C-4) to present, fusiform to moniliform, (46.6)52.4–(63.1) × (25C-6), surface hygrophanous, margin irregular, (2.8)4.7–(7.2) µm, pseudocystidia present (43.3)52.9– sulcate margin, showed some zonation, glabrous, scales (71.9)×(1.6)3.2–(3.7) µm, cheilocystidia present same absent, inflexed, moist, cuticle not peeling, pileus as pleurocystidia, (30.4)35.6–(39.1) × (3.4)6.3–(8.7) consistency fleshy, context colour light red, up to 0.5 µm. Hymenium 35–50 µm. Pileipellis an ixocutis made cm thick, confluent pileus separation. Lamellae adnate, up of 1.0–2.0 μm broad, septate, hyphae and lactifers; reddish orange, distant, fleshy, separable, gill size 7.3 × context made up of rosettes of sphaerocysts 1.1 cm, unequal present in 4 sets of lamellulae, secrete intermingled with laticiferous hyphae. Stipitopellis deep red coloured latex when injured. Stipe central, made up of gelatinized, cutis to exocutis, strongly pastel red to pale red (10A-3), cylindric 5.0 × 1.8 cm, interwoven, regularly arranged hyphae, (2.9)3.3–(4.1) terete, glabrous, hollow, fleshy, trama light red in µm wide, septate, branched, context made up of rosettes colour. of sphaerocyst with laticifer hyphae, clamp connections Basidiospores (7.8)8.5–(9.4) × (5.2)5.8–(7.0) µm absent. (Q=1.5), broadly ellipsoid to ellipsoid, ornamentation Collection examined: India- Himachal Pradesh- amyloid, up to 0.7 μm, composed of thick ridges with Shimla- Kufri: alt. 2290 m a.s.l; GPS some fine connections and isolated warts forming 31°6'0"N77°15'0"E, coniferous forest, under Pine tree, incomplete reticulation in SEM, hyaline, thick walled, among grasses. Shilpa Sood, DMR Acc. No. 33/15, apiculate (1.0–1.4 µm), germ pore absent, oil globule July 27, 2015. Sood et al., Biological Forum – An International Journal 13(2): 138-164(2021) 144 Discussion. The above examined collections belongs to Hymenophoral trama in the present collection is hyphal subgenus Piperites due to the presence of feeble as compared to cellular trama in L. rubrilacteus (Hesler concentric zones on the pileus surface, inrolled pileus and Smith, 1979). This species differs from L. margin, red coloured latex and presence of ixocutis paradoxus by its sub-distant lamellae and large sized pileipellis. The dirty pinkish colour of the basidiocarps, basidiospores with incomplete reticulation. Hesler and white zoned pileus surface with greenish tinge, the Smith, (1979) found this fungus growing in association vinaceous red latex and the subdistant lamellae make L. with Tsuga canadenis and Pine in coniferous and mixed subpurpureus an easy species to recognise. This species forest of United States and Canada. From India, for the shows close resemblance with L. rubrilacteus Hesler & first time listed this species from Kashmir (Watling and Smith and L. paradoxus Beardslee & Burlingham. It Gregory, 1980; Saini and Atri, 1990) and Uttarakhand differs from the former by its distant to subdistant (Atri and Saini, 1986. Saini and Atri, 1990; Bhatt et al., lamellae and mild to acrid tasting flesh as compared to 2000; Joshi et al., 2013). This fungus is reported for the close to crowded lamellae and mild flesh in L. first time from Himachal Pradesh. rubrilacteus.

Fig. 7 (A–G) Lactarius subpurpureus: A) Basidiocarps in natural habitat; B) Basidocarp showing zonation; C) Subdeccurent gill attachment; D) Deep red coloured latex from gills; E) Basidia and pseudocystidia; F and G) Basidiospores in SEM. Scale bars: E=10 µm; F=0.9 µm; G=1 µm.

Sood et al., Biological Forum – An International Journal 13(2): 138-164(2021) 145 Fig. 8 (A–H) Lactarius subpurpureus: A) Basidiocarps; B) Basidiospores; C) Basidia; D) Pleurocystidia; E) Cheilocystidia; F) Pseudocystidia; G) Pileipellis; H) Stipitopellis. Scale bars: B–H=10 µm. Russula atropurpurea Peck, Annual Report on the Basidia (33.6)42.1–(49.4) × (9.2)11.6–(14.5) µm New York State Museum of Natural History 41: 75, (Q=3.6), clavate, 2,4-spored, sterigmata up to 4.6 × 1.8 1888 [Figs. 9 (A–G) and 10 (A–F)] µm, thin walled, oil globule in some, clamp connections Pileus diameter up to 3.7 cm wide, slightly depressed, absent. Pleurocystidia present (41.3)54.4–(65.2) × deep violet (15D-8) center, margin purplish pink (14A- (7.3)9.1–(10.4) µm, cheilocystidia present (31.8)39.8– 4) to deep magenta (14D-8), regular, striate, inflexed, (50.6) × (5.4)7.6–(10.4) µm. Basidiospores (7.3)8.0– moist, non hygyophanous, glabrous, scales absent, (9.2) × (5.3)6.4–(8.2) µm (Q=1.3), hyaline, reticulate, fleshy, flesh colour white, no colour change on touch or thin walled, Pileipellis (3.3)3.9–(4.6) µm, pileus handling, pileus confluent. Lamellae attached equal, cystidia (33.1)40.2–(44.6) × (3.5)5.1–(6.0) µm. close, light yellow in colour, gill thickness 0.2 cm, Hymenophoral trama (13.9)23.8–(34.8) × (13.2)19.0– fleshy, separable. Stipe 8.2 × 0.8−1.5 cm white, central, (25.0) µm composed of sphaerocysts and connective cylindric, blunt, fleshy, terete, hollow, glabrous, stipe hyphae, laticifer hyphae absent. Subhymenium 25–32 trama white, ring, veil and volva absent. µm, single cell (8–10 µm). Hymenium 25–40 µm. Basidiospores (7.3)8.0–(9.2) × (5.3)6.4–(8.2) µm Stipitopellis (2.0)3–(3.9) µm. (Q=1.3), hyaline, reticulate, thin walled, apiculate (1.1– Collection examined: India- Himachal Pradesh- 1.6 µm), germ pore absent, cyanophilic and amyloid. Shimla- Narkanda- Oddi: alt. 2621 m a.s.l.; GPS 32°9'52"N 76°16'39"E, coniferous, solitary, on soil Sood et al., Biological Forum – An International Journal 13(2): 138-164(2021) 146 among grasses and dry Pine needles. Shilpa Sood, septate or aseptate pileocystidia. R. atropurpurea is DMR Acc. No. 65/14, September 21, 2014. similar to R. fragilis which is more fragile. From India Discussion. R. atropurpurea belongs to the subgenus it is reported from Uttarakhand: Atri and Saini, (1986); Russula emend. Sarnari characterized this species by Saini and Atri, (1989) and Kerala: Mohanan, (2011, dry to viscid pileus, always bright coloured, red, purple 2014); Karnataka: Pavithra et al., (2017). In present or yellow, smooth, lamellae adnate to subdecurrent, study specimen is collected from Himachal Pradesh. stipe white to concolourous with the pileus, pileus with

Fig. 9 (A–G) Russula atropurpurea: A) Basidiocarps; B) Gill attachment; C) Basidiospores in light microscope; D) SEM of spore; E) Pleurocystidia; F) Cheilocystidia; G) Pileipellis. Scale bars: C and E–G=10 µm; D=1 µm.

Sood et al., Biological Forum – An International Journal 13(2): 138-164(2021) 147 Fig. 10 (A–F) Russula atropurpurea: A) Basidiocarps; B) Basidiospores; C) Basidia; D) Pleurocystidia; E) Cheilocystidia F) Pileus cystidia. Scale bars: B–F=10 µm. Russula brevipes var. acrior Shaffer, Mycologia 56 germ pore absent, cyanophilic and amyloid, spore (2): 223 (1964) [Figs. 11 (A–H) and 12 (A–G)] deposit white. Basidia (34.2)44.7–(52.0) × (6.0)10.3– Pileus diameter up to 13.0 cm wide, infundibuliform, (12.1) µm (Q=4.3), clavate, 2,4-spored, sterigmata up to surface white with orange grey (5B-2) to greyish orange 6.0 × 2.2 µm, thin walled, oil globule in some, clamp (5B-4) patches, surface non hygrophanous, margin connections absent. Pleurocystidia present (59.5)72.3– regular, non-striate, inflexed, moist, glabrous, scales (90.3) × (8.1)9.3–(11.9) µm, cheilocystidia present absent, cuticle not peeling, pileus consistency fleshy, (33.1)49.4–(67.2) × (6.1)7.1–(9.0) µm. Hymenophoral context colour white, thickness 0.5 cm, no colour trama (1.9)2.4–(2.7) µm. Pileipellis (1.7)3.0–(3.7) µm, change on touch or handling and confluent pileus pileus cystidia (33.1)40.2–(44.6) × (3.5)3.9–(4.6) µm. separation. Lamellae adnate, unequal, lamellulae Collection examined: India- Himachal Pradesh- abundant, crowded, cream white, fleshy, separable, Shimla-Narkanda- Oddi: alt. 2621 m a.s.l.; GPS interveined, smooth, narrow, gill edge smooth, normal, 32°9'52"N 76°16'39"E, scattered growing on soil under bluish ring around the stipe, gill size 6.8 × 0.3 cm. Stipe leaf litter, coniferous forest, Pine community. Shilpa central to excentric, equal 5.0 × 3.0 cm, white, terete in Sood, DMR Acc. No. 52/14, September 21, 2014. cross section, blunt at the base, smooth, glabrous, no Discussion. Present collection belongs to R. brevipes colour change on handling, context stuffed, fleshy, ring, var. acrior. It is characterized by its white veil and volva absent. infundibuliform pileus surface with brownish patches in Basidiospores (9.3)10.3–(11.5) × (6.5)7.6–(8.9) µm older specimen, unpeeling cuticle, acrid taste, unequal (Q=1.4), subglobose, hyaline, reticulate ornamentations crowded and yellowish white with bluish tinge around in the form of isolated warts 2–3 warts connected to the stipe, solid stipe and basidiospores with incomplete form incomplete reticulation, apiculate (1.2–2.0 µm), reticulum. These features are in conformity with the Sood et al., Biological Forum – An International Journal 13(2): 138-164(2021) 148 details given by Shaffer, (1964) for R. brevipes var. (2005). In the present study, specimen was found in acrior. Earlier this fungus was reported from India by mixed coniferous forest under Pine tree. (Bhatt et al., 1995; Atri et al., 1997; Das and Sharma,

Fig. 11 (A–H) Russula brevipes var. acrior: A) Basidiocarps; B) Basidiocarp showing bluish ring around the stipe apex near gills; C) Basidiospores in light microscope; D) Basidia and pleurocystidia; E) Pileipellis; F and G) Basidiospores in SEM; H) Cheilocystidia. Scale bars: C–E and H=10 µm; F= 3µm; G=1 µm.

Sood et al., Biological Forum – An International Journal 13(2): 138-164(2021) 149 Fig. 12 (A–G) Russula brevipes var. acrior: A) Basidiocarps; B) Basidiospores; C) Basidia; D) Pleurocystidia; E) Cheilocystidia; F) Pileipellis; G) Pileus cystidia. Scale bars: B–G=10 µm. Russula delica Fr., Epicrisis Systematis Mycologici: Basidiospores (8.9)9.9–(10.8) × (6.2)7.7–(9.3) µm 350, 1838 [Figs. 13 (A–D) and 14 (A–F)] (Q=1.3), hyaline, verrucose, globose, thick walled, Pileus diameter up to 10.5 cm wide, initially convex apiculate (1.3–1.8 µm), germ pore absent, oil globule with a depression in the centre or infundibuliform at present, cyanophilic and amyloid, spore deposit white. maturity, initially white but developing colour greyish Basidia (31.7)39.0–(48.1) × (7.5)10.2–(14.1) µm orange (5B-5/5B-4), surface non hygrophanous, margin (Q=3.8), clavate, 4-spored, sterigmata up to 8.3 × 1.8 irregular, non-striate, glabrous, inflexed, moist, cuticle µm, thin walled, oil globule absent, basal septa without half peeling, pileus consistency fleshy, context colour clamps. Pleurocystidia present (35.9)63.2–(94.5) × white up to 1.0 cm thick, no colour change on touch or (4.7)6.3–(9.5) µm, cheilocystidia present (30.0)44.8– handling and confluent pileus separation. Lamellae (58.6) × (4.8)5.6–(8.2) µm, oil globule absent, clamp decurrent, white, sub distant, fleshy, gill length 4.6 cm, connections absent. Pileipellis (2.8)3.4–(4.1) µm. unequal present in 6 sets of lamellulae, forked, Hymenophoral trama consists of (14.6)20.2–(25.0) × saparable. Stipe central, white, cylindric to clavate 3.5 × (10.7)15.7–(24.7) µm thick sphaerocysts cells and 3.0–3.5 cm, glabrous, stuffed then hollow, fleshy, stipe connective hyphae. Subhymenium 18–22 µm. trama white. Hymenium 45–50 µm. Stipitopellis (1.5)2.0–(2.6) µm.

Sood et al., Biological Forum – An International Journal 13(2): 138-164(2021) 150 Fig. 13 (A–D) Russula delica: A and B) Basidiocarps in natural habitat; C and D) Basidiospores in SEM. Scale bars: C and D=1 µm.

Fig. 14 (A–F) Russula delica: A) Basidiocarps; B) Basidiospores; C) Basidia; D) Pleurocystidia; E) Cheilocystidia; F) Pileipellis. Scale bars: B–F=10 µm. Sood et al., Biological Forum – An International Journal 13(2): 138-164(2021) 151 Collection examined: India- Himachal Pradesh- Solan- 1988; Atri and Saini, 1986). In the present study this is Kasauli: alt. 1927 m a.s.l.; GPS 30°53'56" N 76°57'53" reported from coniferous forest in the lower hills of E, coniferous forest, solitary among grasses and dried Himalayas under Pinus roxburghii. Pine needles under the canopy of Pinus roxburghii. Russula flavida Frost, Annual Report on the New York Shilpa Sood, DMR Acc. No. 44/15, August 02, 2015. State Museum of Natural History 32: 32, 1880 Discussion. The above examined collection has been [Figs. 15 (A G) and 16 (A G)] identified as R. delica Fr. (1838). It resembles to R. – – brevipes and R. romagnesiana in its morphological Pileus diameter up to 4.6 cm wide, shallowly depressed, details. R. romagnesiana (Shaffer, 1970) is a small young basidiomata yolk (4B-8) colour, margin banana spored (4.3–7.0 × 5.0−5.7 µm) mushroom and yellow (4A-4), deep yellow (4A-8) to yolk yellow (4B- possesses incrusted pileus hyphae and occasional 8) in mature basidiomata, surface non hygrophanous, inamyloid blunt warts which have a characteristic regular, inflexed, non-striate, moist, glabrous, scales feature. As compared to the spores of R. delica and R. absent, cuticle half peeling, pileus consistency fleshy, brevipes measures from 8.0–10.8 × 6.7–9.8 μm context colour white, upto 0.2 cm thick, no colour excluding ornamentation which measure from 0.4–1.0 change on touch or handling and confluent pileus μm in R. delica and 0.7–1.7 μm in R. brevipes (Shaffer, separation. Lamellae adnexed, equal, subdistant, white 1970). Beside this R. brevipes has more crowded gills to light brown, fleshy, separable, gill size 1.5 × 0.2 cm. and a faint bluish-green band around the top of the stem Stipe central, equal 3.0 × 0.6–1.0 cm, amber yellow where the gills terminate. From India R. delica is (4A-6) to deep yellow (4A-8), in mature specimen reported from Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh colour of upper part fades to light yellow to white, and Uttarakhand (Saini and Atri, 1984; Saini et al., terete in cross section, blunt, smooth, hollow, fleshy.

Fig. 15 (A–G) Russula flavida: A) Basidiocarps in natural habitat; B and C) Basidiospores in SEM; D) Section of gill; E) Hymenium with pleurocystidia; F) Pileipellis; G) Stipitopellis. Scale bars: B= 2µm; C=1 µm; D–G=10 µm.

Sood et al., Biological Forum – An International Journal 13(2): 138-164(2021) 152 Fig. 16 (A–G) Russula flavida: A) Basidiocarps; B) Basidiospores; C) Basidia; D) Cheilocystidia; E) Pleurocystidia; F) Pileipellis; G) Stipitopellis. Scale bars: B–G=10 µm. Basidiospores (6.7)7.5–(8.2) × (4.8)5.5–(6.2) µm encrustations yellow to yellowish brown in KOH, clamp (Q=1.4), sub-globose, ornamented, apiculate (0.7–1.5 connections absent. µm), germ pore absent, oil globule present, cyanophilic Collection examined: India- Himachal Pradesh- and amyloid, in SEM studies ornamentation amyloid, up Palampur- Chamatu: alt. 1215 m a.s.l.; GPS 32°9'53"N to 0.8 µm, completely interconnected by irregular lines 76°16'39"E, solitary, growing among grasses under the and low ridges, forming a partial to nearly complete canopy of Pinus roxburghii. Shilpa Sood, DMR Acc. reticulum, suprahilar area slightly depressed spore No. 24/14, September 13, 2014. deposit creamish white. Basidia (21.3)24.0–(27.5) × Discussion. The above examined collection goes well (7.2)8.6–(10.3) µm (Q=2.8), clavate, 2,4-spored, with the description of R. flavida. Macroscopically, this sterigmata 3.8 ×1.2 µm, thin walled, oil globule present, species is characterized by its bright yellow to orange basal septa without clamp connections. Pleurocystidia yellow colour, dry, velvety pileus and usually small to present (33.8)51.8–(62.8) × (4.9)6.5–(9.6) µm, medium sized stipe. Its most obvious microscopic cheilocystidia present (29.8)37.6–(45.2) × (4.2)5.6–(7.5) features are the non-fuchsinophilic, incrusting pigments µm. Pileipellis composed of sub erect to erect, encrusted of the cuticular hyphae, dermatocystidia with refringent, hyphae, aggregated into fascicles and differentiated composed of slightly thickened walls and reticulate thick walled, cylindrical, cystidia with encrustations spore ornamentation. R. ochroleucoides Kauffman is a (1.8)3.0–(4.2) µm in diam. Hymenophoral trama similar species and the only members of the subsection sphaerocysts and connective hyphae present, laticifer to have extracellular incrusting pigments. R. hyphae absent. Subhymenium 20–25 µm. Hymenium ochroleucoides has nearly white stipe, bitter to acrid 15–27 µm, singe cell 8–15 µm. Stipitopellis consists of taste, and usually a larger, dull yellow pileus. From horizontal to erect interwoven hyphae (2.1)3.0–(3.8) µm, India, it was already reported from Uttarakhand (Das et septate, branched and encrusted like pileipellis al., 2002; Sembal et al., 2019) and first time reported from Himachal Pradesh.

Sood et al., Biological Forum – An International Journal 13(2): 138-164(2021) 153 Russula fellea (Fr.) Fr., Stirpes agri Femsionensis: 57 Basidiospores (7.9)8.5–(9.3) × (5.8)6.2–(8.4) µm (1825) [Figs. 17 (A–F) and 18 (A–G)] (Q=1.1−1.3), hyaline, ornamented, subglobose to Pileus diameter up to 5.0 cm wide, convex with slight ellipsoidal, apiculate (0.9–1.3 µm), germ pore absent, depression, lemon yellow (3D-8), slightly paler towards oil globule present, cyanophilic and amyloid, spore margin, surface non hygrophanous, margin irregular, deposit cream. Basidia (17.9)23.0–(27.2) × (9.1)11.1– striate, glabrous, scales absent, glutinous, shiny when (13.2) µm (Q=2.1), clavate, 2,4- spored, sterigmata up moist, cuticle half peeling, pileus consistency fleshy, to 4.4 × 1.8 µm, thin walled, oil globule absent, basal context light yellow, up to 0.4 cm thick, no colour septa without clamps. Pleurocystidia present change on touch or handling and non confluent pileus (21.2)56.2–(78.9) ×7.5)8.9–(10.8) µm fusiform to separation. Lamellae adnate, yellowish white to cream cylindrical, cheilocystidia present (26.5)32.0–(45.7) × yellow, fleshy, gill size 2.5 × 0.6 cm equal, subdistant, (5.4)7.1–(9.5) µm same as pleurocystidia, oil globule equal, separable, gill edge smooth and fragile. Stipe absent, clamp connections absent. Pileipellis 2.5–3.7 central, dull yellow (3B-3) to cream yellow, cylindric µm, pileus cystidia present, abundant, cylindrical to sub 3.5 × 1.1−2.0 cm, terete, glabrous, hollow, fleshy, stipe club shaped 3.6−7.7 µm. Hymenophoral trama trama light yellow, no colour change on bruising, ring, (17.1)24.6–(34.2) × (11.4)19.6–(26.9) µm thick veil and volva absent. sphaerocysts with connective hyphae. Hymenium 20– 25 µm.

Fig. 17 (A–F) Russula fellea: A and B) Basidiocarps in natural habitat; C) Pileus surface; D) Gill attachment; E and F) Basidiospores in SEM. Scale bars: E= 3 µm; F= 0.9µm.

Sood et al., Biological Forum – An International Journal 13(2): 138-164(2021) 154 Stipitopellis (2.2)2.9–(3.4) µm, stipe cystidia surface of spore, pileus cuticle with pileocystidia. This cylindrical, septate 2.3−4.2 µm. taxa is already documented by workers from Punjab, Collection examined: India- Himachal Pradesh- Solan- Utharakhand, Sikkim, Kerala (Atri et al., 2010; Das and Kasauli: alt. 1927 m a.s.l.; GPS 30°53'56" N 76°57'53" Sharma, 2005; Das et al., 2010, 2013; Varghese et al., E, coniferous forest, Pine community, on soil among 2010; Pradeep and Vrinda, 2007, 2010; Mohanan, grasses and leaf litter. Shilpa Sood, DMR Acc. No. 2011; Manimohan and Deepna Latha, 2011; Farook et 45/15, August 02, 2015. al., 2013). This species is confused with R. ochroleuca. Discussion. This genera is identified by pileus surface The spore size of R. ochroleuca is small 5.0–8.6 × 4.3– sticky to gelatinous, margins tuberculate striate, 8.6 μm. It constitutes a new record for Himachal basidiospores having isolated warts on the surface Pradesh. which often connect to form partial network on the

Fig. 18 (A–G) Russula fellea: A) Basidiospores; B) Basidia; C) Pleurocystidia; D) Cheilocystidia; E) Pileipellis; F) Pileus cystidia; G) Stipe cystidia. Scale bar: A–G=10 µm.

Sood et al., Biological Forum – An International Journal 13(2): 138-164(2021) 155 Russula foetens Pers., Observationes mycologicae 1: (5.5)8.1–(10.9) µm. Pileipellis (2.1)2.4–(2.9) µm. 102, 1796 [Figs. 19 (A–D) and 20 (A–G)] Hymenophoral trama composed of sphaerocysts and Pileus diameter up to 6.7 cm wide, slightly depressed, connective hyphae. Subhymenium 11–15 µm. deep yellow (4C-8) center, greyish yellow (4C-5) to Hymenium 31–35 µm. Stipitopellis (4.5)5.8–(8.0) µm champagne (4B-5) margin, surface non hygrophanous, made up of irregularly arranged hyphae, stipe trama margin regular, striate, glabrous, scales absent, made upto spherocytes. inflexed, glutinous, cuticle half peeling, pileus Collection examined: India- Himachal Pradesh- consistency fleshy, context colour white, up to 0.5 cm Shimla- Kufri: alt. 2290 m a.s.l.; GPS thick, no colour change on touch or handling and 31°6'0"N77°15'0"E, mixed forest, community, confluent pileus separation. Lamellae adnexed, white, among grasses and leaf litter. Shilpa Sood, DMR Acc. subdistant, fleshy, interveined, gill thickness 0.6 cm No. 26/15, July 26, 2015. unequal present in 3 sets of lamellulae. Stipe central, Discussion. R. foetens is the type species of subgenus white, cylindric 8.5 × 2.8 cm, terete, glabrous, context Ingratula Romagnesi characterised by sticky to stuffed, fleshy, stipe surface white, stipe trama white. gelatinous pileus surface, margins tuberculate striate, Basidiospores (7.9)8.8–(9.4) × (6.0)6.6–(7.2) µm basidiospores having isolated warts on the surface (Q=1.3), hyaline, warted, globose, apiculate (0.7–1.8 which often connect to form partial network on the µm), germ pore absent, oil globule present, cyanophilic surface of spore, pileus cuticle with pileocystidia with and amyloid. Basidia (40.1)51.4–(60.3) × (10.3)11.8– pointed ends. All the details of the fungus go well with (12.7) µm (Q=4.4), clavate, 4-spored, sterigmata up to description given by (Romagnesi, 1967; Rayner, 1970; 5.6 × 1.9 µm, thin walled, oil globule present, clamp Sarnari, 1998). The closely related R. laurocerasi and connections absent. Pleurocystidia present (49.0)57.8– R. Subfoetens. R. laurocerasi paler in colour and (68.2) × (6.1)8.8–(11.8) µm, chilocystidia present somewhat less repulsive in odour, apparently more (27.7)33.9–(44.0) × (4.4)6.4–(7.7) µm, oil globule common in forests. Form India it is reported absent, clamp connections absent, pseudocystidia deep from Jammu and Kashmir and Uttarakhand: Saini and seated in the subhymenium (44.9)56.9–(68.8) × Atri, (1984), Himachal Pradesh: Saini and Atri, (1981).

Fig. 19 (A–D) Russula foetens: A) Basidiocarps; B) Basidiospores in light microscope; C and D) Basidiospores in SEM. Scale bars: B=10 µm; C=1 µm; D=0.8 µm.

Sood et al., Biological Forum – An International Journal 13(2): 138-164(2021) 156 Fig. 20 (A–G): Russula foetens: A) Basidiocarps; B) Basidiospores; C) Basidia; D) Cheilocystidia; E) Pleurocystidia; F) Pileipellis; G) Pileus cystidia. Scale bars: B–G=10 µm. Russula fragilis Fr., Stirpes agri Femsionensis: 57, Lamellae adnate, subdistant, white, fleshy, separable, 1825 [Figs. 21 (A–F) and 22 (A–F)] inter veined, gill size 3.5 × 0.7 cm equal, gill edges Pileus diameter up to 6.0 cm wide, convex to plane, entire, forked, no colour change on bruising. Stipe dark violet (16F-8) center, pastel violet (16A-4) to lilac central, white, cylindric 5.0 × 1.0 cm, terete in cross (16B-3) margin, surface non hygrophanous, margin section, blunt at the base, hollow, glabrous, stipe trama regular, striate, inflexed, glutinous, glabrous, scales white, unchanging when cut or bruised, fleshy. absent, cuticle half peeling, pileus consistency fleshy, Basidiospores (8.5)8.8–(9.4) × (5.9)6.5–(7.7) µm context white, up to 0.3 cm thick, no colour change on (Q=1.2−1.3), hyaline, warted, sub-globose to sub touch or handling and confluent pileus separation. elliptical, apiculate (0.5–0.8 µm), germ pore absent, oil

Sood et al., Biological Forum – An International Journal 13(2): 138-164(2021) 157 globule present, cyanophilic and amyloid, in SEM (3.9) µm, made up of irregularly arranged ixocutis with occasionally isolated, mostly connected by fine to upright hyphae. heavy lines, 2–3 catenate sometimes forming short Collection examined: India- Himachal Pradesh- ridges, spore deposit white. Basidia (22.6)27.1–(34.2) × Shimla- Kufri: alt. 2290 m a.s.l.; GPS (8.3)9.8–(10.9) µm (Q=2.8), clavate, 2,4-spored, 31°6'0"N77°15'0"E, coniferous forest, Pine community, sterigmata up to 6.1 × 2.0 µm, thin walled, oil globule on soil. Shilpa Sood, DMR Acc. No. 25/15, July 26, present, basal septa without clamps. Pleurocystidia 2015. (38.4)49.2–(60.8) × (5.1)8.3–(13.0) µm, cheilocystidia Discussion. The present collection belongs to R. (27.1)31.3–(36.5) × (4.7)6.6–(8.9) µm, oil globule fragilis. The characteristic features of the present absent, clamp connections absent. Pileipellis (2.0)2.4– collection are convex, then flattening or depressed, (3.6) µm, ixotrichoderm, pileocystidia (29.6)36.4– variable in colour purple or violet-tinted and rather (46.3) × (3.8)4.4–(6.0) µm, clavate to cylindrical. pale, or purplish-red, purple-violet, with a darker Hymenophoral trama (14.0)24.8–(32.1) × (10.7)19.6– centre. It grows on or near wood, generally purple and (27.7) µm thick sphaerocysts with rare hyphae, laticifer dull green colours, white to creamy-white spores and hyphae absent. Subhymenium 21–28 µm, single cell 4– clavate pileocystidia are diagnostic for R. fragilis. R. 13 µm. Hymenium 21–30 µm. Stipitopellis (2.0)2.8– atropurpurea and R. aquosa are closely related species.

Fig. 21 (A–F) Russula fragilis: A) Basidiocarps; B) Gill attachment; C) Pileipellis with cystidia; D) Section of gill; E and F) SEM of basidiospores. Scale bars: C and D=10 µm; E and F= 0.9 µm.

Sood et al., Biological Forum – An International Journal 13(2): 138-164(2021) 158 Fig. 22 (A–F) Russula fragilis: A) Basidiocarps; B) Basidiospores; C) Basidia; D) Pleurocystidia; E) Cheilocystidia; F) Pileipellis. Scale bars: B–F=10 µm. As compared to R. atropurpurea it is more fragile and irregular, striate, glabrous, scales absent, inflexed, R. aquosa grows in Sphagnum. Spores globose, glutinous, cuticle (easily peeled off) half peeling, connected by fine lines to form an almost complete pileus consistency fleshy, context colour cream, up to network. Cap cystidia cylindrical to club-shaped. 0.4 cm thick, no colour change on touch or handling. Earlier this fungus has been reported from Himachal Lamellae adnexed, subdistant, white, fleshy, gill size Pradesh by Saini and Atri, (1984, 1989). 3.7 × 0.4 cm equal, bifurcating. Stipe central, cream, Russula grisea Fr., Epicr. Syst. Mycol. (Upsaliae): 361, light lilac (15A-4/15A-5), cylindric 8.5 × 2.8 cm, terete 1838 [Figs. 23 (A–F) and 24 (A–G)] in cross section, glabrous, hollow, fleshy, stipe trama cream. Basidiospores (7.4)7.7–(8.3) × (5.2)5.9–(6.6) Pileus diameter up to 8.0 cm wide, shallowly depressed, µm (Q= 1.3), yellow, verrucose, thick walled, apiculate dark purple (15F-4), surface non hygrophanous, margin Sood et al., Biological Forum – An International Journal 13(2): 138-164(2021) 159 upto 1.6 × 1.2 µm, germ pore absent, oil globule × (19.1)23.9–(35.7) µm thick, consists of sphaerocysts present, cyanophilic and amyloid, spore deposit white. and connective hyphae. Subhymenium 20–30 µm. Basidia (29.2)34.6–(40.2) × (8.7)9.9–(11.4) µm (Q= Hymenium 30–35 µm. cuticle consists of longitudinally 3.4), clavate, 2,4-spored, sterigmata up to 3.5 × 1.8 µm, running septate 1.7−3.2 μm broad hyphae, cutis arises a thin walled, oil globule present, basal septa without tufts of caulocystidia measuring (33.7)45.2−(50.7) × clamps. Pleurocystidia present (76.8)85.3–(111.1) × (3.8)7.0−(13.3) μm in size, context made up of rosettes (12.3)14.6–(19.9) µm, cheilocystidia present of sphaerocysts. (28.9)38.3–(45.6) × (5.3)7.2–(8.7) µm, oil globule Collection examined: India- Himachal Pradesh- absent, clamp connections absent. Pileipellis from the Shimla- Kufri: alt. 2290 m a.s.l.; GPS cutis in tufts of slender, multiseptate 4.9−7.6 μm broad 31°6'0"N77°15'0"E. 26.07.2015, coniferous forest, Pine cuticular elements including pileocystidia, septa community, among grasses. Shilpa Sood, DMR Acc. without clamps. Hymenophoral trama (19.7)29.2–(37.2) No. 34/15, July 26, 2015.

Figs. 23 (A–F) Russula grisea: A) Basidiocarps in natural habitat; B) Pleurocystidia; C) Pileus cystidia; D) Stipitocystidia; E and F) Basidiospores in SEM. Scale bars: B–D=10 µm; E=2 µm; F=0.9 µm. Sood et al., Biological Forum – An International Journal 13(2): 138-164(2021) 160 Fig. 24 (A–G) Russula grisea: A) Basidiocarps; B) Basidiospores; C) Basidia; D) Pleurocystidia; E) Cheilocystidia F) Pileipellis; G) Stipitopellis with cystidia. Scale bars: B–G=10 µm. Discussion. The present collection belongs to subgenus Russula subfoetens W.G. Sm., J. Bot.: 337, 1873 Heterophyllidia Romagnesi because of its greenish [Figs. 25 (A–G) and 26 (A–G)] tinged greyish magenta pileus surface, unchanging flesh Pileus diameter up to 9.5 cm wide, plano convex and presence of dermatocystidia. The examined centrally depressed, rust brown (6E-8) center, brownish collection goes well with the description given by orange (5C-5) margin, surface non hygrophanous, Romagnesi, (1967) and Rayner, (1970). The margin regular, striate, glabrous, scales absent, characteristic features of the present collection are its inflexed, glutinous, cuticle half peeling, pileus dry, adnexed, distantly spaced forked lamellae, lilac consistency fleshy, context colour white, up to 0.4 cm white stipe surface, basidiospores with mostly isolated thick, no colour change on touch or handling and warts, pleurocystidia with blunt capitate tubular to confluent pileus separation. Lamellae adnexed, white, flame shaped tips and pileus cuticle an ixocutis with close, fleshy, separable, gill size 4.5 × 0.7 cm, equal, multiseptate hyphae intermingled with dermatocystidial smooth gill edge. Stipe central, white, cylindric, 8.9 × elements with capitate to tubular tips. In India, this 2.4 cm, glabrous, stuffed, fleshy, stipe trama white in fungus is already reported from Himachal Pradesh: Atri colour, no colour change on bruising. et al., (1993), Utharakhand: Das and Sharma , (2005). Sood et al., Biological Forum – An International Journal 13(2): 138-164(2021) 161 Basidiospores (10.0)10.5–(11.3) × (6.1)6.8–(7.9) µm Pileipellis (2.2)2.6–(3.0) µm, weak trichoderm, Pileus (Q=1.4–1.6), hyaline, broadly ellipsoidal, verrucose, cystidia (43.5)63.8–(75.1) × (2.8)3.7–(4.7) µm, hyphae isolated warts 2–3 connected to form incomplete irregularly arranged, thin walled. Hymenophoral trama reticulation, apiculate (1.4–1.8 µm), germ pore absent, (11.7)17.7–(24.1) × (11.5)13.7–(16.6) µm thick oil globule present, cyanophilic and amyloid, spore sphaerocysts and connective hyphae. Subhymenium deposit white. Basidia (29.2)41.1–(51.5) × (6.9)9.4– 10–13 µm single cell (5–11 µm). Hymenium 30–35 (13.1) µm (Q=4.3), clavate, 4-spored, sterigmata up to µm. Stipitopellis (16.8)29.3–(38.7) µm wide. 6.0 × 1.6 µm, thin walled, oil globule present, basal Collection examined: India- Himachal Pradesh- septa without clamps. Pleurocystidia (47.6)65.5–(76.0) Shimla- Kufri: alt. 2290 m a.s.l.; GPS 31°6’N 77°15’E, × (8.1)9.4–(11.1) µm, cheilocystidia (45.2)51.7–(62.6) mixed forest, Oak community, present among grasses. × (7.5)7.9–(8.2) µm, oil globule present, clamp Shilpa Sood, DMR Acc. No. 35/15, July 27, 2015. connections absent.

Figs. 25 (A–G) Russula subfoetens: A) Basidiocarps in natural habitat; B) Gill attachment; C) Pileus surface with striations; D) Pleurocystidia; E) Pileipellis with pileus cystidia; F and G) Basidiospores in SEM. Scale bars: D– E=10 µm; F= 3 µm; G=1 µm.

Sood et al., Biological Forum – An International Journal 13(2): 138-164(2021) 162 Fig. 26 (A–G): Russula subfoetens: A) Basidiocarps; B) Basidiospores; C) Basidia; D) Pleurocystidia; E) Cheilocystidia; F) Pileipellis; G) Pileus cystidia. Scale bars: B–G=10 µm. Discussion. This fungus is characterized by its and Atri, (1989). In the present study, it is being yellowish coloured pileus, yellowish stipe and light- reported for the first time from of Himachal Pradesh. yellow spore deposit. It is usually gregarious in Acknowledgements. The authors would like to express hardwood and mixed forests near Quercus. R. their sincere thanks to the ICAR-Directorate of subfoetens is similar in appearance to R. foetens, not Mushroom Research, Chambaghat, Solan for providing clearly distinguished in appearance from R. foetens, laboratory facilities to carry out present research work. except that odour is sweeter almond scent, less nauseating. Our specimen shared all the characters of R. REFERENCES subfoetens except having larger spore size 6.8 −9.4 × Atri, N.S. and Saini, S.S. (1986). Further contribution on the 5.6−7.3 µm (Romagnesi, 1985) R. subfoetens reported studies of North-West Himalayan Russulaceae. Geobios from Uttarakhand by Atri and Saini, (1986) and Saini new Reports, 5: 100–105.

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How to cite this article: Sood, S., Singh, R. and Upadhyay, R.C. (2021). Studies on North-West Himalayan Russulaceae. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 13(2): 138-164.

Sood et al., Biological Forum – An International Journal 13(2): 138-164(2021) 164